ROME STREETZ, Kiss the Ring

By Leo Hewitt-Provost

Since signing to Griselda Records in 2021, Rome Streetz has made significant strides in his career. Coming off acclaimed features on Hitler Wears Hermes 8—considered by many to be one of the best releases of that year—Rome positioned himself as one of the most promising voices in the underground. Around the same time, he dropped Razor’s Edge with the prolific producer Futurewave, followed shortly by Coup de Grâce with lyrical heavyweight Ransom. Momentum was on his side.

By the end of that year, fans were eagerly awaiting his first official Griselda release. Already boasting a devoted fanbase, Rome Streetz had toured Europe and witnessed firsthand the international demand for his work. Kiss the Ring had been teased for months and quickly became a subject of anticipation among long-time supporters, Griselda newcomers, and East Coast hip-hop purists who admire intricate lyricism and raw authenticity.

Released on September 30, 2022, Kiss the Ring arrived as a fully-fledged statement of intent. Featuring contributions from Conway the Machine, Benny the Butcher, Stove God Cooks, Armani Caesar, Boldy James, and Westside Gunn—who also served as executive producer—the album brings together some of the sharpest voices in modern-day street rap. The production credits are equally stacked, including The Alchemist, Conductor Williams, Denny LaFlare, Camouflage Monk, DJ Green Lantern, Daringer, Sadhugold, and Sovren.

Notably, Conductor Williams and Rome Streetz prove to be a seamless duo. Tracks like “Heart on Froze” and “Reversible” showcase some of Williams' best work to date, pairing soulful, sample-rich loops with Rome’s razor-sharp pen. There’s a magnetic synergy in how the emcee floats over these instrumentals, elevating the writing and mood.

The album opens with “Big Steppa,” produced by Camouflage Monk, where Rome demands respect with lines like:

“I’ll smoke your whole Top 20, fuck 5, that’s definite… you could never fuck with me, never, I been a big stepper.”

This kind of brazen confidence continues throughout the project. Kiss the Ring carries the unmistakable touch of Westside Gunn’s curation—his influence is felt in the structure and aesthetics—but it never overshadows Rome’s own artistry. On “Soulja Boy,” featuring Conway the Machine, both emcees adopt an ominous tone, rapping over Conductor’s menacing loops with venom and clarity. By the fourth track, it’s evident: this album is grimy, unfiltered, and precisely what fans hoped it would be.

Rome’s technical skill is showcased across the tracklist. “Destiny Child” reveals his mastery of cadence and flow, while “Tyson Beckford”—named after the American model—leans into a darker, more aggressive mood. Tracks like these send a clear message to his peers: Rome Streetz is operating on a different level.

One of the project’s standout moments arrives with “Blow 4 Blow.” Conductor Williams crafts a beat that is both lush and hard-edged, setting the stage for one of Rome’s most potent verses:

“I know seeing me style this making you n***** miserable / Keep watching my moves, you gonna be suicidal / I am God—I always knew to never worship idols.”

The album’s guest features are uniformly strong. Stove God Cooks and Benny the Butcher shine on their shared track, effortlessly trading verses over a moody backdrop. Armani Caesar brings a raw mix of desire, dominance, and elegance to “Armed and Dangerous,” rapping:

“We young and dangerous, y’all know not to play with us.”

The song balances explicit content with lyrical finesse, making it one of the project’s most dynamic cuts.

Later, Boldy James appears on “Serving,” produced by Denny LaFlare. His laid-back delivery complements Rome’s sharp presence, and together, they create a track that feels like a fitting lead-in to the album’s close.

Kiss the Ring is, simply put, the project Rome Streetz was meant to make. It combines heat, hunger, and high-level execution, affirming that Westside Gunn’s trust in his newest signee was well placed. Rome isn’t chasing trends—he’s building a legacy. And as he’s made clear time and again, this is only the beginning.

Top 3 Tracks:

  • “Reversible”

  • “Non Factor” (feat. Westside Gunn)

  • “Armed and Dangerous” (feat. Armani Caesar)